Electric guitar · Diminished chord

D#dim Diminished

Key: E Major
Medium

D#dim is the D# diminished chord on electric guitar, made of the notes D# · F# · A.

Position 1 of 3Main

Notes

D#
F#
A

Structure

1
♭3
♭5

Sound: Diminished; Unstable, dramatic
Harmonic function: Dominant; Creates tension that resolves to the tonic.

Harmonic field of E Major

Degree	Chord	Function
I	E	Tonic
ii	F#m	Subdominant
iii	G#m	Tonic relative
IV	A	Subdominant
V	B	Dominant
vi	C#m	Tonic relative
vii°	D#dim	Dominant

How to play

1Place your index finger on fret 6 of string 5.
2Place your middle finger on fret 7 of string 4.
3Place your ring finger on fret 7 of string 2.
4Place your pinky on fret 8 of string 3.
5Don't play strings 6, 1.
6Strum from string 5 down.